This Is A Custom Widget

This Sliding Bar can be switched on or off in theme options, and can take any widget you throw at it or even fill it with your custom HTML Code. Its perfect for grabbing the attention of your viewers. Choose between 1, 2, 3 or 4 columns, set the background color, widget divider color, activate transparency, a top border or fully disable it on desktop and mobile.

This Is A Custom Widget

This Sliding Bar can be switched on or off in theme options, and can take any widget you throw at it or even fill it with your custom HTML Code. Its perfect for grabbing the attention of your viewers. Choose between 1, 2, 3 or 4 columns, set the background color, widget divider color, activate transparency, a top border or fully disable it on desktop and mobile.

Apps to Help You Live and Lead at Your Best

I’ve had a cell phone since the late ’90’s. I’m pretty sure my first was the StarTac, and I still remember how much I loved the Razr. My phone was for keeping in touch, however that evolved, but little more. I still kept my main organization system on paper, or eventually, on my desktop.

For the first time ever, I think I’m ready to admit that my “phone” is my main support. And with the help of carefully selected apps and screens, I think it does the job well. Here are the nine apps that help me live and lead at my best. I think you’ll enjoy them too.

Perhaps no other habit has received more attention in recent times than meditation. Countless studies demonstrate the benefits, even in tiny doses. Our heart rate and respiration slows, and our blood pressure drops. Over time, our brain actually changes, shrinking the amygdala – the part of the brain where reactive fear and anxiety originate. Just minutes a day can be beneficial.

I started my meditation practice with Headspace and still keep a membership, but I’m finding that I love the flexibility of Calm even more. With the customizable timer and options as short as 1 minute, it’s hard to make the excuse that we don’t have time. (Two minute breaks seem to be working well for me these days.)

Combined with meditation, focusing on gratitude is another way to keep a healthy mindset. And this simple app makes it super easy to develop this habit. At a time when it’s easy to focus on all that’s wrong, finishing the sentence “Today I am grateful for” guides us right to thinking about what went right.

I’ve long been a fan of “tiny habits,” and no other app reinforces that approach more than Johnson & Johnson’s 7 Minute Workout App. Counting the warm up, the workout cycle takes less than 10 minutes, and can be completed with only a chair.Whether at home or in a hotel room, this app is a perfect support for maintaining a basic mobility and exercise habit. Again, its simplicity and brevity cause excuses to evaporate.

Want to have plenty of patience in traffic and look forward to your commute?

My car is a rolling library, and Stitcher is my curator. By selecting and giving a “thumbs up” to my favorite shows, Stitcher’s recommended list ensures I always have something new and inspiring to listen to. (Here’s a link to the Top 100 shows, and a directory by topic.)

Several years ago, I decided on the concept of bumper bowling for my life. I could get off track and make mistakes (plenty of them!), but if I could keep myself from falling all the way in the gutter, I’d probably be okay.

This app is the coach in my pocket that holds up those important guardrails. It reminds me of my commitments to ‘tiny’ habits (no matter how challenging a day might be) and gives me easy access to coaches that support me in key areas. It’s the first thing I check in the morning and the last before I head to sleep. (The app is free, and you can use KENDRAWEEK for a complimentary week of coaching if you’d like to test it out too.)

When I’m finished with my morning habits and ready to face the day, RTM is the dashboard that keeps me moving forward in the right direction. During my weekly review, I assign the important action items for each day. I aim for about 90 minutes of focused work on a key project. I also use recurring items and subtasks as checklists to make sure I don’t forget the details. (Here’s a guide for getting started. Caveat: I only use one to-do list for work, personal, volunteer, or anything else. One life = one calendar, and one list of priorities.)

A cross between a swiss army knife and a second brain, Evernote is my go-to for everything I need to keep or create. I use it to keep all sorts of lists (groceries, recommended books, etc). I write the first drafts of all my articles there – mostly because I can access it from any device. And it’s perfect for my swipe file of stuff I’d like to create or do someday. (Bonus: If you really want to become an Evernote Ninja, invest in Brett Kelly’s $29 guide. It’s the fastest black belt you’ll ever get.)

Sometimes I’m too tired to read or listen to anything meaningful. Or, I’m stuck in line and losing patience. I’ve trained myself to head straight to Instagram. By following folks that post inspiring pictures and messages, I can combat my fatigue with a dose of positivity. It’s like my own custom inspirational slideshow. (Think of it as all the benefits of social media, without the political arm-wrestling.)

As a child, I lived for video games (and the rare snow day when school was cancelled). Declaring myself grown, I abruptly stopped for 20 years, considering them a waste of time. And then I read SuperBetter. (Here’s an article with an overview.)Essentially, games are a great antidote for stress. Debate it, or try it. I finally gave in to the Pokémon GO craze and found myself exploring different parks and walking lots more.

What’s your faves?

These tools have been helpful in keeping me on track, and I thought you would enjoy them too. I’d also love to hear about your favorite apps and systems. Please share!

2 Comments

Thanks for sharing a great list of your apps. Even though I use different apps, the themes are similar.

1.) Insight Timer (Free) for Mindfulness:

I did Headspace for a year and even though Andy Puddicombe was great I started to get bored. With insight timer, I love the variety of different meditations by various teachers. My favourites are Tara Brach and Sharon Salzberg.

2.) Downcast (podcasts)

I love the ability to customise almost any variable on Downcast, particularly the feature to skip the first few minutes of the podcast which invariably contain promotional adverts on all my fav shows eg Tim Ferris, James Altucher, Beyond the to-do list (Eric Fischer). I still use the iPhone Podcasts app for the BBC podcasts (which to not have adverts) due to integration with Siri.

3.) Streaks (habit tracking)

I love the minimalist interface. It limits you though to 6 habits. I like Coach.me but got very irritated with Tony Stubblebine’s emails!

4.) Kindle

It’s great been able to continue reading a book on my phone whenever and wherever I want to!

5.) Evernote

It is my ‘digital brain’ as Michael Hyatt coins it! It is perhaps my most valuable and used digital resource. I use to write, keep lists, web links, store pics, file receipts and almost everything I do is on Evernote. Another vote for the Brett Kelly book- it’s invaluable and you get free lifetime upgrades with it.

6.) Todoist (task manager)

I have tried almost all todo/task managers and Todoist works the best for me. I love that it has natural language input support, the pricing is very sensible and it has a fun point based gamification concept to keep your streak!

7.) Fantastical (calendar)

I love the interface and its ability to support natural language input.